SA traditional music has claimed its place in one of the world's biggest expos held in Dubai.
Represented by maskandi star Khuzani Mpungose, famously known as Indlamlenze, the singer is among the SA delegation which attended the Dubai World Expo 2021 that attracted 190 nations.
Other South Africans who are part of the expo are Thando Thabethe, Papi Moloi, Mi Casa, Sho Madjozi, Mzansi Youth Choir, and Drakensburg Boys Choir. On the SA side, the expo is curated by the department of sport, arts and culture and the department of trade and industry. Mpungose, who entertained the crowds when he performed in Dubai on Tuesday night, described his performance as one of his career highlights.
“I had a great performance on Wednesday [Tuesday] and it was my first performance in Dubai. I had fun performing and exhibiting our beautiful culture in South Africa. What I love most is that the audience which was mixed enjoyed my music and loved the Zulu traditional regalia that I wore,” he said.
“Getting an invite to perform in one of the biggest expos in the world just proves that I am the king when it comes to maskandi music and the music genre has been recognised. What I did was to sell the music to the world.”
Mpungose told Sowetan that Dubai was extremely hot but he was enjoying the blue skies, clean country and friendly people. He said the team is expected to return to SA in two days' time.
“Temperatures here can reach about 39 degrees which is something that I am not used to. But all in all, I am loving Dubai. It is a beautiful country with friendly people. At the after-party we had fun dancing with other people from other countries. What I also like about the country is that there is no crime because the police officers are doing their job.”
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